Is Chocolate Milk a Healthy Drink?

A drink of chocolate milk is certain to have its place in a well-balanced diet. This drink is perfect as an after workout refreshment and can offer a variety of benefits, including burning fat and holding onto muscle.

Here are several of the positive benefits that come from drinking the low-fat chocolate milk:

Electrolytes and fluid for hydration

Source of protein to repair muscle

Carbohydrates passed to the liver and muscles

Easy to source

Portable and quick to prepare

Replenishes essential nutrients

Great taste for adults and children

Bone health

Chocolate milk contains a lot of minerals that are helpful in nourishing the skeleton. A 1 glass serving of chocolate milks has about 26% or 272 mg of the daily intake of calcium. A diet rich in calcium is certain to help with fighting off bone disease like osteoporosis. Plus, the copper content (21% or 188 mg) in chocolate milk is able to make more of the protein collagen which is part of the bone tissue.

Nutrition

A single glass serving of chocolate milk has about 182 calories, 7.2 grams of protein, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 4.3 grams of fat. The carbohydrate content will help you get through the day while the protein is certain to help with maintaining and repairing muscle tissue, as well as enzyme and hormone production. Plus, a proper intake of protein in the day-to-day diet can help the skin and eyes.

Vitamins

Drink chocolate milk to get a rich intake of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin D. A proper intake of vitamin D is needed to encourage proper bone health because it is helpful for absorbing and using calcium. Plus, it aids in blood pressure to ensure the cardiovascular health is well maintained. A 1 glass serving of chocolate milk has about 22% or DV or 120 IU (international units) of the daily intake. Also, the vitamin B2 content in this flavored milk is helpful for producing energy and metabolizing nutrients. In addition, it helps with detoxifying the body and promotes the function of the liver. A serving of chocolate milk has about 35% of the DV or .46 mg of vitamin B2.

Milk products

White milk and chocolate milk are both able to contain most of the beneficial nutrients, including vitamin D and calcium. A proper intake of milk on a daily basis is certain to help with promoting healthy teeth and bone, and this is especially critical for the younger person that is still growing. The sugar content is quite reasonable and has about the same as unsweetened apple juice. Plus, the combination of carbohydrates and protein makes it a perfect choice to consumer after a workout session.

Concerns

Chocolate milk is best consumed in moderation because of the high concentration of sugar. A 1 glass serving contains about 4 tsp (or 2/3 of the DV) of added sugar. A regular drink of chocolate milk can easily put you past the daily allotted sugar amount. Plus, it can have a negative impact on the health in relation to diabetes, obesity, and oral health.